CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNSELORS:
THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS
FOR FIRST TIMERS
Sarah Mazak, Guidance Counselor
May 8, 2014
Objectives:
Understanding the time-line associated
with the college admissions process
 How to find a “good-fit” college
 Understanding the college application
 Understanding admissions terminology
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Objectives Continued…
Understanding standardized testing
 Understanding basics of financial aid
 How admissions decisions are made
 Expectations (of us and you)
 Open discussion
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Opening Thought
The college admissions process is
different for every student and
at every college.
Time line 9th & 10TH grade
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Challenging courses
Good grades
PSAT, Subject tests
“Soft” conversations about college, invited to
attend College Rep sessions, college visits
Time line 11th and 12th grade
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11th grade – fall/winter – PSAT, strong
grades, challenging courses, SAT/ACT Prep
class, SAT registration, college fair, start
researching colleges
11th Grade – Spring – maintain strong
grades, start compiling a list, junior
conference, college visits, take SAT/ACT
Summer between 11th & 12th grade – further
SAT study (if needed), fine tune college list
Time line – 12th grade
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12th Grade – fall – maintain strong grades,
senior conference, additional SAT/ACT (if
needed), college visits, apply
12th Grade – winter – FAFSA, college
responses
12th Grade – spring – DECIDE and DEPOSIT
(May 1), inform other colleges, make
decisions about “waitlist”
How to find/research colleges:
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What are the important factors (price, size,
location, academic programs, culture of the school,
other factors – athletics)
Discussed at Jr. Conference
College database search on Family Connections.
College representatives visit MHS
College fairs (CCM, NACAC -employee onlyEdison in spring)
College regional receptions
Resources for the College Process
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Family Connections
Internet – Comprehensive college websites
Bulletin board outside of the Guidance
office for college rep. visits
Catalogues - Left by college reps
Books – Complete section at Barnes and
Noble - Princeton Review, etc.
Constant email reminders from Mr. Levine
Campus Visits
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Sign up online
Open houses – one stop shopping
Making the most of college visits (tour
guide, visit cafeteria, go “off track”)
Combine schools by region
Understanding the college
application (components)
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On-line (paper is not recommended)
Common application, own application
Application fee
Teacher recommendation(s) – (done via Family
Connections)
Counselor recommendation
College essay
Supplemental information (portfolio, supplement, etc.)
Admissions Terminology
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Early decision (I and II)
Early action
Priority
Rolling decision
Regular decision
Accept, decline, defer, waitlist
Admissions Testing
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SAT –(changing in March 2016 –
affects current freshmen)
SAT – subject exams
ACT
AP’s
SAT optional schools (hundreds of 4year schools- www.fairtest.org
Test Prep classes
Financial Aid
FAFSA v. CSS Profile
 Grants
 Loans
 Scholarships (merit, athletic, etc)
 Local & national scholarship list on
FC
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Factors in Admissions Decisions
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High School grades and strength of
curriculum, test scores
Recommendation(s), essay, extracurricular
activities
What does this person bring to the
community?
Interview
Demonstrated interest (ED)
What Should Your Expectations
be of Us?
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An individual Junior Conference meeting
An open invitation for your child to stop by with
questions/concerns
Open Communication – we will usually call/email
back within 24 hours
Assistance throughout the process
Various Programming
What are our Expectations of
You?
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That you will have ongoing dialogue with
your child about college.
Junior Parent Brag Sheet
That you will assist your child throughout
the process (Keep ‘em on track)
That you will be in contact with us about
issues of concern for your family.
Open Discussion